Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 32: Miscellaneous, 1912 (part 6 of 28)

John McFarland, son of Rev. Robert, was born February 18, 1824, and spent his life' within one mile of his birthplace and followed agricultural pursuits. His death occurred May 7, 1895. For years he was an official in the Methodist Episcopal church and for thirty of these was the leader of the church choir. In his native county he married Sarah Ann Gibbs, who was possibly born in Kentucky, in 1826, and died in 1883. Of their five children there are four survivors, namely: Robert I.; William, who is manager of a hotel, at Columbus, O., who formerly was a school teacher; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Luther Myers, of Columbus, and has one daughter; and Harry L., who is engaged in the life insurance business at Chattanooga, Tenn.

Robert I. McFarland, son of John and father of Forest R. McFarland, was born August 23, 1850, on- the old Mad River Valley farm, in Champaign County, O., where he continued to reside and followed agricultural pursuits until some five years since, when he retired to Bucyrus, where he still lives. For a number of years he filled township offices and gave his political support to the Republican party. Mr. McFarland has always been known as an upright man and good citizen. He married Agnes Baker, who was born near Natural Bridge, Rockbridge county, Va., Dec. 30, 1847. Her father, Isaac Baker, brought his family to Ohio when she was quite young and for ten years they lived in Allen county and then moved into Champaign county, where he died in 1902, after passing his 91st birthday, having been born in 181 1, of Swiss- German parentage. The mother of Mrs. McFarland died in middle age. Both parents were members of the German Reformed church. At the time of death, Mr. Baker was one of the oldest Democrats in Champaign county and was a well known man.

Forest R. McFarland is an only child and he was carefully reared by good parents and taught to be thoughtful for others and to be kind and courteous in his demeanor, and these habits have not been detrimental to his advancement in business or social life. After graduating from the local Hieh School he spent one term in the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, O., and afterward taught school until he received his appointment to his present position, as mentioned above.

In 1900 Mr. McFarland was married at Bucyrus to Miss Caroline Albright, who was born and reared here and in 1898 graduated from the Bucyrus High School, after which, until her marriage, she was a teacher. She is a daughter of George W. and Jemima (Scott) Albright, prominent families in Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have three children: Martha Marguerite, who was born May 13, 1902; Isabelle Jemima, who was born January 6, 1906; and Agnes Georgiana, who was born August 8, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is an official in the same and in the Sunday school.

OSCAR K. SHARROCK, a contractor and prosperous citizen of Bucyrus, O., was born in a log hut near Iberia, Morrow county, O., September 6, 1849. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Woodside) Sharrock, and he is a great grandson of James Sharrock, who came to this country as a captain in the English army during the early years of the Revolutionary period, probably about 1776 or 1777. While in charge of a party succoring the wounded on a field of action, after the battle, he assisted a wounded American soldier, whom he recognized as an old schoolmate. Their acquaintance was renewed, they talked about the war and the causes of difference between the colonies and the mother country and Captain Sharrock finally became convinced that the cause of the colonies was a just one. He accordingly took an early opportunity of terminating his relations with the English army and, with some others, joined the Americans, serving under Washington and Lafayette against his former comrades. The principal scene of his military activities, while in the American army, was in New York State and he was engaged chiefly in patrolling the debatable ground between the advanced posts of the two armies, which was overrun and ravaged at frequent intervals by marauders of semi-military character from both sides. While engaged in these duties, he met and married Constance Williams, who was a sister of David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre. They resided in New York State but later, after the war, settled in New York City, where Capt. Sharrock acquired a quarter section of land in the heart of the citv, in the vicinity of Wall Street. Here they both died when well advanced in years. They had a large family consistinp- of eleven sons and one daughter. Ten of the sons were sea captains, the exception being Benjamin, grandfather of the direct subject of this sketch, who was the second in order of birth.

Benjamin Sharrock, above referred to, was born probably before the close of the Revolutionary War in a log cabin in New York State. He contributed to the military record of the family, serving under Jackson at New Orleans in the War of 1812-15. At its close he returned home to New York State, but soon after, and before his marriage, removed to Ohio, settling in Guernsey county. Here he married a Quakeress by the name of Cotwell, of Quaker City in that county. This act seems to have been displeasing to his parents, as we are told that he was disinherited because of it. His father James had previously forfeited valuable property in England on account of his desertion of the Royal cause, which fact does not seem to have made him act generously towards Jhis son. However, the latter exercised his right to select his own wife, perhaps reflecting philosophicallv that "true love never does run smooth." Benjamin was a farmer by regular occupation and also a preacher, being known as Rev. Benjamin Sharrock. In 182 1 he came with certain others to Crawford county, where he had a very large tract of land, a part of it being secured from the Government and State for services as a surveyor, he having laid out some of the earliest roads in northern Ohio. His last years were spent quietly near Iberia, Morrow county, where he wa? a prominent citizen, being also widely known throughout this section. He had made a careful study of Indian life and nature, and was resoected by the Indians, whom he had always treated justly. He died November 16, 1879, at the remarkable age of 104 years and was buried at Iberia, in Morrow county. Shortly before his death he walked from near Iberia to four miles west of Bucyrus. The stone that marks his grave is a mill stone that he cut in 1820 for the mill he owned at Rockford, this county, and which was a famous old time g-rist-mill. Benjamin Sharrock was a remarkable man in more than one respect. He never used intoxicating liquors, though their use was almost universal during his earlier years, and though he attained so great an age, he never used elasses to aid his sip-ht ; moreover at the time of his death he still retained all his teeth, these last two facts, toeether with his aee, indicatin'^ a wonderful vitality. His wife, who had passed away some vears before him, was the daughter of a pioneer settler of this part of Ohio, who also was familiar with Indian life and customs and who was a well known citizen.

Rev. Benjamin Sharrock and wife were the parents of quite a large family, of whom Joseph, father of our subject, was the second born. The latter first 'saw the light in Guernsey county, O., November 4, 1814. When two years old he accompanied his parents to the vicinity of Sandusky, where they remained for a while. He was married in Morrow county to Mary Woodside, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 17, 1818. This marriage took place several years before the Sharrocks located in Crawford county. Joseph and his wife became the owners of a fine farm in Bucyrus township, consisting of nearly 300 acres of good land. Here they spent the rest of their lives, Joseph dying in 1893 and his wife in 1883. They were regular attendants at church, though not members and were quick to support any good work. Joseph Sharrock was a man of musical talent and for a number of years took a leading part in musical entertainments throughout the county. He was a Democrat in politics.

The children of Joseph and Mary Sharrock were six in number, as follows: (i). Gardner accidentally shot himself April 3, 1874, when 32 years old. (2). Garrett is now a farmer in Crawford county. (3). Charles died two years ago at his home in Bucyrus, O. (4). Oscar is the direct subject of this article and will be further referred to herein. (5). Benjamin is a resident of Golden City, Mo. (6). James is a resident of Morrow county, Ohio.

Oscar K. Sharrock, whose birth has been already narrated, had some difficulty in obtaining an adeouate education, as his father was opposed to his spending too much time over his books or at school. Without the latter's knowledge, however, and by dint of earnest application, with the friendly assistance of a Miss McCracken, he acquired a fairly thorough knowledp-e of the ordinary branches of study, so much so that for a time he followed the occupation of teacher. He continued to improve himself educationally, adding to his stores of knowledge and giving particular attention to language and rhetoric, also devoting much thought to public questions. His ability as a speaker and debater became known, and with it there grew up a demand for his services on the lecture platform. In this sphere of intellectual activity he has made a name for himself throughout this section, having lectured on subjects of historic interest, two of his most noted lectures being on the subjects of Benedict Arnold and the Expansion of the United States, on the latter subject he taking the affirmative proposition that "It was right for America to expand." On the platform Mr. Sharrock has an agreeable and sympathetic voice of commanding volume, and an easy delivery that never tires his auditors but holds their attention to the end. As a contractor in the line of his regular business he has been successful and is a thoroughly skilled mechanic and a reliable man of business.

He was married in Liberty township to Miss Cynthia A. McMichael, a daughter of David and Margaret (Anderson) Mc- Michael and a grand-daughter of Daniel and Mary (McDowell) McMichael. Grandfather McMichael was born in Ireland and came to America about 1794, when 16 years of age. His family locating in Westmoreland county, Pa., he there married, his wife, Mary being a native of Scotland. Soon after their marriage they moved to Ohio and settled north of the Sandusky near where Bucyrus is now located. He entered 160 acres of land at a point up the river and built a saw and grist mill - one of the first in the county. Of his eight children, David married Margaret Anderson, daughter of John Anderson, a pioneer in that locality. On his father-in-law's death David McMichael moved to the latter's farm, where he subsequently resided, dying Nov. 3, 1857 and leaving a widow and seven children - Rebecca ]., Daniel L., John A., George W., Maria, Cynthia and David - of whom, George W. and Maria removed to Nebraska. Daniel McMichael, Mrs. Sharrock's grandfather, built the first white man's cabin in Liberty township and was the third settler in the county. Mrs. Sharrock was well educated and was for a number of years a teacher in the pubHc schools.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock are as follows: (i). Walter Scott, was educated in Crawford county and is a steam engineer by occupation. He resides at home with his parents. (2). J. Wayland, who is a clerk in a hardware store in Bucyrus, married Bessie Souder and has a son. Jack B. (3), Maude Estella, was educated at Ohio Northern University and was employed for some years as a teacher. She is now in Cuba and also travels Southern territory as representative of the Crescent Mfg. Co. of Seattle, Wash. She is unmarried. (4). Mirian Thorne, a cultivated young woman, educated at Ohio Northern University, is residing at home. (5). Ross C, graduated from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., in the class of 1909 and is a civil engineer and assistant surveyor residing in Bucyrus. He married Lurlie Snavely and has a son, Harold C. (6). Mabel B. is the wife of Harry Ehrick, of Bucyrus and has a daughter, Thelma Norine. (7). Raloh Beaumont, who resides at home, is attending high school and will graduate in the class of 1913. It will thus he seen that Mr. and Mrs. Sharrock have a promising family who are contributing to the good citizenship of the state and upholding the family reputation, of which fact they may well be proud.

S. L. FRENCH, general farmer and well known citizen of Crawford county, O., residing on his well improved farm of seventy acres, situated in section 11, Cranberry township, belongs to one of the old county families of substantial character. He was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, Jan. 14, 1864, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Jane French, who reside in Cranberry township, on a farm that adjoins that of their son, on the north.

S. L. French received primary instruction in Cranberry township and afterward attended school at New Washington and was a member of the class of 1883, the first one graduated from the New Washington High School. Afterward he took a course in the Ohio Normal School at Ada, O., and then became a teacher, both in Cranberry and Auburn townships. Mr. French then visited the Northwest and resided at Fort Stellacoom, Wash., and for four years was leader of the orchestra engaged to play at the Insane Asylum. He also played in orchestras in hospitals for the insane in Jacksonville, 111., Columbus, O., Blackfoot, Idaho, and for three years directed the orchestra at the Toledo, O., State Hospital. After coming back to Crawford county in 1895 he bought property in Cranberry townships, parts of the old Robert Robin- son and Curtis farms, improved the same and has here carried on a general agricultural line ever since. Mr. French follows progressive methods, keeping himself well informed through attendance and interest in the Grange and other agricultural bodies and agricultural literature, and his success proves that his system is entirely practical and again demonstrates that an educated man often makes the best farmer. The location of his property gives it excellent drainage and the Northern Ohio Railroad running through it has proved to be of advantage.

At Tacoma, Wash., on Jan. 12, 1893, Mr. French was married to Miss Lena Unkrich, who was born at Fairfield, la., a daughter of Henry Unkrich, and they have four childred : Helen, who is a student in the New W^ashington High School; and Florence, George and Jeanette, all of whom, were born in Cranberry townshin. Dail Robison, a young man of 20 years, has lived with the family since he was four years of age. Mr. French and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. French is a Democrat. In some local organizations he has been interested to some degree and is on the directing board of the Crawford County Fire Insurance Company. Mr. and Mrs. French are members of Cranberry Grange No. 1435, also of the Crawford County Pomona, the Ohio State and National Grange. :Many years ago he joined the Knights of Pythias and has passed all the chairs in the local lodge. Mr. French and family are representative people of this section.

ADAM SHUNK, deceased, was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Bucyrus, O., for many years. He was the founder of one of the large manufacturing houses here, the plow company which bears his name, and he was also a citizen whose sterling worth could not fail of being appreciated. He was born in Somerset county. Pa., March 23, i797. pew to the age of 21 years on his father's farm, developed into a man of great usefulness to his family, community and generation and died October 30, 1892.

As a youth Adam Shunk had no educational opportunities. He dutifully performed the labors assigned him on the farm as long as he remained at home, but, when the age of maturity set him free, he devoted himself to work as a carpenter, having constructed his own tools. He was deft of hand from childhood and it is said of him that a wagon, perfect in all its parts, was made by his boyish fingers, when he was not more than eight years of age. He never served an apprenticeship to any mechanical trade, his aptness in the use of tools being a natural faculty. His work of 21 years, in his native section, compared favorably with that of other carpenters, but this work did not entirely satisfy himself and a part of his time and all his leisure was given to experimenting. In 1843 he purchased a patent right to manufacture a certain kind of plow. In the following spring he opened his plow plant at Xenia, O., and while engaged there he also conducted a grocery store and for a time he worked at Canal Fulton. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Shunk came to Bucyrus, and with the capital he had at command built a brick shop and started into the manufacture of plows. There are yet business men of Bucyrus who recall the beginning of this enterprise and others who know of its expansion, while the active business men of today point with pride to the Shunk Plow Company as an example of the commercial importance of this city as a successful manufacturing center. In his day Mr. Shunk made all the different patterns of plows that he manufactured. The business has been developed until not only the Shunk New Model Steel Plow is manufactured but the plant also turns out: the Handy Steel Farm Wagons, steel plows, combination plows, contractors' plows, single shovel plows, potato diggers, steel plow shapes and steel plow beams made to pattern, gas engine trucks, steel scraper blades, corn harvesters and other steel implements.

Mr. Shunk was twice married, first, in 1816, to Miss Mary Banfort, of Somerset county, who died in 1844, and second, in 1845, to Miss Catherine Bauch, of Springfield, O. Children were born to both unions, the survivors of the second being:

Francis, Nelson F., Isaac, John Q. and Katie. The Shunk Plow Company is owned and operated by Nelson F. and John Q. Shunk, the former of whom lives at No. 421 Mansfield Street, and the latter at No. 603 Rensselaer Street. They are m,en of business enterprise and are worthy citizens. Should they claim the honor, they are entitled to membership in that org^anization. Sons of the American Revolution, their grandfather having served under General Washington. In many ways Adam Shunk was a very remarkable man and his fellow citizens of a younfer p-eneration remember his wonderful activity in business even into old age. From the age of seventeen years he had been a faithful member until death of the English Lutheran church.

HENRY P. REXROTH, deceased, for many years was a well known citizen and successful farmer in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., where he was born April 4, 1859 and died in December, 1909. His parents were John and Mary Ann (Gebhart) Rexroth, who were early settlers in this section, locating in Whetstone township when they came from Germany. They had five sons and one daughter, namely: George, J. J., Daniel, Samuel, Henry P. and Mrs. Guinther.

Henry P. "Rexroth was reared on his father's farm and obtained a district school education. Farming was his main business through life but he also was a veterinary practitioner. He was able to leave a valuable farm of 120 acres, well cultivated and well stocked, to his family, and his widow and son continue to operate it, carrying on general farming and raising Duroc Jersey hogs.

In 1882 Mr. Rexroth was married to Miss Margaret Nungesser, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Helfrich) Nungesser, and they had children born to them as follows : Bertha, who is the wife of John Eyler, and has four children - Marguerite, Russell, Harry and Glenn; Mary, who is the wife of Emanuel Fauser, and has two children - Miriam and Wilbur; Carrie, who is the wife of Harry Kurtz; Emma, who is the wife of Walter Diebler and has one

Mr. Rexroth was a prominent man in township poHtics and was frequently elected to office, serving four years as township clerk and fifteen years as constable. He was a valued member and comrade in several fraternal organizations, belonging to the Eagles and the Royal Arcanum. With his family he belonged to the German Reformed church in Whetstone township and gave it liberal support.

JOHN M. DOSTAL, a member of the firm of Dostal Bros., brewers, at Bucyrus, O., was born at Iowa City, la., and is one of the representative business men of this city. His parents were John P. and Johanna (Cerny) Dostal.

John P. Dostal was born in Bohemia, in 1840, and died April 17, 1912. When a young man he accompanied his parents to the United States and they all located at Iowa City, la. He had his own way to make in the world and the success which rewarded his efforts was remarkable, considering that he had to contend with a strange language, unaccustomed people, little capital and unknown customs. He became a brewer and at Iowa City continued in business until he accumulated a fortune of $100,000. When laws went into effect that limited his business he moved his plant to Aurora, 111., in 1882, and continued until he sold out to the Aurora Brewing Company. In 1890 he embarked in the brewing business at Denver, Colo., and his old plant is now owned by the Neff Bros. Brewing Company. At Iowa City he married Johanna Cerny, who was born also in Bohemia and accompanied her parents when young, to Iowa City, la., where she was reared. She is a member of the Roman Catholic church, as was her husband. In politics John P. Dostal was a Democrat. Two sons and four daughters were born to them.

John M. Dostal was educated at the Jesuit College, at Prairie du Chien, Crawford county, Wis., and both he and brother, George A. Dostal, learned the brewing business with their father. The present plant, which occupies six acres at Bucyrus, was established many years aeo, the Dostal Bros, taking- charge in September, 1902, succeeding Frank Dick, who had succeeded the Donenwirths, the builders. The Dostal Bros, have made the business a prosperous one, introducing new methods and installing modern machinery. Employment is given to from fifteen to twenty employes and the capacity, which is sold entirely in Ohio, is about 20,000 barrels annually. The firm of Dostal Bros, is made up of John M. and George A. Dostal. The latter is widely known in musical circles and at the present time (1912) is a m,ember of an operatic company touring the country. He ea,rly displayed musical talent and three years ago completed his musical studies at Rome. He married Miss Gertrude E. Madden, of Chicago, 111.

John M. Dostal was married February 14, 1912, at Columbus, O., to Miss Margaret McCaffrey, of that city. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is identified with the Elks, the Deutsche Gesellschaft and the Eagles and is a member of the board of trustees of the Elks.

ALVA FRENCH, a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Gallon, C, now living retired after many years of agricultural life, occuoies his comfortable residence which stands at No. 645, Cherry Street; Galion. He was born at Otsego, N. Y., April 1=;, 1839, and is a son of Sampson and Betsey (Seward) French.

Sampson French was born in Massachusetts and his wife in Connecticut, both families being old ones in New England. Thev were married in New York and their home continued to be in Otsego county until 1847, when they came to Ohio and settled in what is now Morrow county, purchasing land in Washington township and there spent their lives, both passing away before the Civil War. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were of the same class of people as the Shermans of Ohio and were friendly with that family and also with the older Garfields. For fourteen years Sampson French was a justice of the peace and was an influential man in many directions. While he lived in New

York he followed his trade of cloth weaver and fuller, to some extent, and owned a woolen mill, while he was also a millwright and owned a saw mill. He was, in fact, one of the well equipped, resourceful men of his time and his useful activity covered many fields. Eight of his children reached maturity and all of his six sons and two daughters married and had families of their own. The two survivors are: Alya and Calvin. The latter is a retired railroad man now living at Bifighamton, N. Y. He is a veteran of the Civil War, during which he was once a prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., an experience which typifies the horrors of war.

Alva French remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the family farm until i860 when he entered the railroad employ. He enlisted in Co. C, i8oth O. Vol. Inf., in September, 1864, and was made color bearer, under Capt. Moses Abbott, and was honorably discharged June i, 1865, in the meanwhile having participated in the battle of Wise's Fork, N. C. After the war he resumed railroad work, which he had previously been connected with to some degree, and for ten years was with the Big Four and Erie Railways. He then went back to Morrow county and purchased 58 acres of desirable land and devoted himself to its cultivation and improvement until 1912, when he retired and came to Galion. In 1862, Mr. French was married in Morrow county to Miss Lydia A. Elder, who was born and educated there. She is a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Noyer) Elder, who were born in Bedford county, Pa., but were married in Ohio and were early settlers in Morrow county, the Elder lands having been secured from the Government by the grandfather of Mrs. French. This family is one of the best known in Morrow county, a long-lived people, thrifty and virtuous.

Mr. and Mrs. French have three children, one son and two daughters : Chauncy C, who succeeded his father in the management of the Morrow county estate; Abbie, who is the wife of J- F- Nichols, residing at Galion; and Carrie, who is the wife of Korah Mountz, of Morrow county, and has two children: Ralph and Edith Marie. Mrs.

French is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. French has been a Republican since he cast his first presidential vote, that bein^ for Abraham Lincoln. He is a valued member of Dick Morris Post No. 130, G. A. R. In 1867 Mr. French was painfully injured in a railroad accident and in the following' year went to Missouri and spent five years thei-e before he was able to resume his former active life.

SHERMAN R. HARMAN, a well known resident of Dallas township, was born May II, 1876, on the farm where he now lives and which he and his father own. He is a son of John and Lois (Burke) Harman.

John Harman and his wife were both born in Ohio, where he has been a farmer but is now living- retired at Nevada. He is in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party and attends the U. B. Church. Mr. and Mrs. John Harman were blessed with four children: Ida, the wife of Charles L. Slagle; Sherman, the subject of this article; and Mary and Jay, both deceased.

After attending the common schools of his district, Sherman R. Harman turned his attention to farming and went to work on the farm before referred to. He has been associated with his father until last year and since then he has successfully managed the farm himself. He does general farming and raises a good grade of stock.

In 1901 Mr. Harman was married to Miss Bertha Mollenkopf, who is a daughter of Philip and Emma (Cook) Mollenkopf. Mr. and Mrs. Harman have a son and a daughter - John Milton and Mildred Gertrude.

JACOB COLTER, senior member of the lumber firm of Colter & Co., saw mill operators and manufacturers of all kinds of house and building material in the way of lumber, has been identified with the lumber business all his life since early manhood. He was born in Bavaria, Germany,, in 1842 and is a son of Jacob and Caroline (Leppla) Colter, who emigrated to America in 1851, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a sailing vessel that required 42 days to make the passage. They landed at the port of New York and from there came to Ohio and located near Strasburg. There the father died six weeks later, leaving his widow and two children, Jacob and Henry. The latter is in the saw mill business in Adams county, Ind., is married and has four sons. The mother of Mr. Colter is now in her ninetieth year. She contracted a second marriage and six children were born to it, her second husband being now deceased.

Jacob Colter was reared in Tuscarawas county, O., and obtained an excellent education at Millersburg, one that fitted him for teaching and he taught school sucessfully prior to entering into the lumber industry. In 1873, in partnership with a kinsman, P. W. Smith, he bought a saw mill at Areola, Ind., in which he continued to be interested for twenty years. When he and partner left that section of Indiana it was with an earned capital of $50,000. In 1902 Mr. Colter came to Bucyrus and conducted a saw mill until 1906, when a planing mill was added to the other facilities and a large business has been built up. Since 1905 Mr. Colter has had a silent but active partner in Peter Conkle. The plant of Colter & Co., covers nine acres of land, a part of which is covered with mills and their complete equipments and a part is given to the storage of lumber, they keeping an average of 400,000 feet on hand all the time. Mr. Colter is also interested at Jonesboro, Ark., where his lumber plant is worth $110,000, and additionally he is concerned in banks at Decatur and Fort Wayne, Ind., and at Willshire, Van Wert county, O. Mr. Colter is one of the capitalists of Crawford county.

Mr. Colter was married in Indiana to Miss Sarah Crawford, who was born in 1855, in Allen county, Ind. She died at Areola, Ind., in 1902, survived by six children: Blanche, who is the wife of Lee Ellsworth, who is well known on the dramatic stage; William H., who is engaged in the saw mill business at Upper Sandusky; John, who lives at Jonesboro, Ark. ; Maude, who is the wife of Robert Picking, of Bucyrus; Ethel, who resides with her father; and

Helen, who is a Higfh School student. Mr. Colter resides at No. 222 South Poplar Street, Bucyrus. He has never- taken any very active part in politics but nevertheless has always arrayed himself with the supporters of law and order. He is a member of the M. E. church.

JAMES RICHARD HOPLEY was born at Bucyrus, O., Aug. i, 1863, the son of the late John and Georgianna (Rochester) Hopley. He is strictly a Bucyrus boy having been brought up here and was graduated from the Bucyrus public schools in the class of 1882. In 1884 in company with five other boy friends he organized the Bucyrus Evening Times and was editor and manager of that paper. In 1887 and 1888 he was located at Fort Worth, Texas, engaged in railroad work. On Nov. 15, 1893, he was married at Granville, 0., to Miss Elizabeth Sheppard, daughter of Rev. Thomas J. and Margaret (Collins) Sheppard. At that time Mr. Hopley was city editor of the Bucyrus Evening Telegraph. In 1896 he became editor and manager of the Sandusky Evening Telegraph at Sandusky, Ohio, where he remained about a year. In 1897 he went to Columbus where he was associated with Charles W. Harper for a number of years as editor of The Advertising World and Ad-Art, where his natural aptitude for advertising was given full swing. During the latter part of his work at Columbus he was manager of the Harper Illustrating Syndicate, continuing his work as editor of the Harper advertising publications. In 1902 he returned to Bucyrus as manager of the Hopley Printing Company and upon the death of the late John Hopley he became editor as well as manager of the newspapers belonging to the family estate. Mr. Hopley has been a Republican all his life and has taken a considerable part in the local politics. In December of 1 910, he was appointed postmaster at Bucyrus, O., by President Taft, taking up the duties of the oiifice Feb. 15, 191 1. Mr. Hopley has been a member of the Presbyterian church since he was 16 years of age and in March, 1912, was elected a ruling elder of the church at Bucyrus.

president of the Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs in 1899 and in 1900 was elected president of the State Federation. In 1903 she was the only woman speaker on the program of the Ohio Centennial celebration at Chillicothe, O.

ROBERT LAIRD, deceased, for many years was identified with the great Erie Railway system at Kent and Galion, O., and was quite influential in local politics in Crawford county. He was born at Glasgow, Scotland, May 6, 1841, and was a son of Robert and Mary (Laird) Laird.

The parents of Mr. Laird were of Scottish birth and ancestry and of the Presbyterian faith. In 1849 they took passage with their children on a sailing vessel bound for the United States, and after six long weeks on the water, were safely landed on the coast of Virginia. Later the father became manager of mines at Mt. Savage, now in West Virginia, and to him is attributed the honor of discovering the beds of fire clay in that section which he subsequently assisted in developing. His widow survived him, dying at Parkersburg, W. Va., in her 79th year. They had twelve children born to them, a number of whom reached maturity.

Robert Laird had but meager educational opportunities. He learned the boilermaker's trade at Peidmont, W. Va., and afterward worked at Zanesville and then entered the shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and while there enlisted for service in the Civil War. He became a member of Company D, 159th O. Vol. Inf., in which he served for three months, when he was prostrated with rheumatism, from which he was never afterward entirely free; When he resumed work at his trade he remained with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad for about four years, having come first to Galion, in 1868, and here became foreman of the boiler shops and for twenty years was connected with the Erie Railway. He then went to Mansfield, O., where he was at the head of the J. Sullivan Boiler Works and three years later returned to Galion and here conducted a boiler shop of his own for five years. His death occurred in this city November 5, 1905. He was a man of sterling traits of character, honest and upright, industrious and faithful and was the type of citizen that a community cannot afford to lose. He was firm in his adherence to the principles of the Democratic party and was frequently brought forward as a party candidate for responsible positions. Mr. Laird was a Knight Templar Mason and was master of the local lodge. He had hosts of friends in Dick Morris Post No. 130, G. A. R., and it was while presiding as commander that his death summons came to him and he peacefully expired supported by his old comardes in arms.

Mr. Laird was married at Zanesville, O., to Miss Jennie Mcintosh, who was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, a daughter of John and Agnes (Russell) Mcintosh, and in her infancy brought by her mother to America. The mother died in 1868, she being then aged 79 years. Mrs. Laird is the youngest of five childi-en and she has one brother living in Ohio, John Mcintosh, who is a retired carriage blacksmith, residing at Mt. Vernon, with wife, three sons and one daughter. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Lard, John R. He was carefully reared and graduated with credit from the Galion High School, afterward learned the machinist trade and became a skilled boilermaker. His death occurred November 27, 191 1, when aged 46 years. Mrs. Laird is a woman of marked ability, a leader in several distinctive lines. For some time she was president of the Woman's Relief Corps at Galion and for ten years its treasurer, and she was the organizer of the Eastern Star lodge here and its first matron.

CHRISTIAN SHONERT, dealer in pianos and other musical instruments at Bucyrus, O., who is known all through this section as a musician of a high order of ability, was born in Saxony, Germany, April 13, 1832, and is a son of John H. and Frederica (John) Shonert.

people of small means and unable to pay enough for Mr. Shonert's services to enable him to take care of and provide for a rapidly increasing family. In the hope that in America he would find better opportunities, Mr. Shonert decided to emigrate and in 1848, with his family left the port of Bremen for the United States. After a voyage of six weeks the family was safely landed at Castle Garden, New York City, and from there made their way to Crawford county, O., and settled on a farm in Lykens township, where the father followed both farming and blacksmithing.

Christian Shonert attended school in his native land and was 16 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. After one year of toil on the farm in Lykens township he left home and came to Bucyrus, where he learned the tanning business, and afterward, for a number of years, continued in this line, during a part of the time alone and also with a partner. The German people are noted for their natural musical talent and Christian developed this very early although circumstances were such that he had little opportunity to develop it while young. Later he secured advantages and it has long been said of him that he is the finest musician in Crawford county. He was the first real musical man in Bucyru.? and has had much to do with the encouragement of music in this city. He has been in the musical instrument business at his present location. No. 415 N. Sandusky Street, since 1849.

Mr. Shonert was married October 30, 1856, to Miss Maria W. Miller, a resident of Bucyrus, and they have had seven children, all of whom have inherited their father's remarkable musical gifts and have had them cultivated and appreciated. The third son, Edwin M. Shonert, has become a celebrated pianist and at present is on the concert stage. Mr Shonert has been one of Bucyrus' most useful citizens. He has served with satisfaction and efficiency in city and county offices and was four times elected county treasurer, first in 1875 and again in 1877 and also served the two terms from 1884 to 1888. He retired from this office of trust and responsibility bearing with him the respect, esteem and commendation of his fellow citizens. He has also served a number of years on the school board and city council.

W. J. JUMP, farmer and teacher, is a member of one of the old families of Crawford county which has many representatives in Tod township. He was born June i8, 1876, on the old homestead and is a son of W. H. Jump.

W. J. Jump attended the local schools at Lemert and later, Ada University, after which he began to teach school. Not every nominally qualified teacher finds himself fitted for this work after he begins, but in Mr. Jump's case, teaching seems to be a natural vocation and for thirteen years he has been engaged in educational work in Crawford county, at present teaching at Glen Eden, in School District No. 2, Tod township. His farm of forty acres also claims attention and he takes much interest in its management.

Mr. Jump married Miss Anna Lecrone, a daughter of Adam Lecrone, of Bremen, O., and they have had two children, Carlton and Harry, but both sons passed away in infancy, the former when aged nine months and the latter when but five months old. Mr. Jump is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plankton, O., while Mrs. Jump is a member of the U. B. church at Laurel in Hocking county, O. In his political attitude he is a Democrat. He has a wide acquaintance and is held in very high esteem in Crawford county as an educator.

MISS JULIA AUMILLER, who is a very highly esteemed lady of Bucyrus, C, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Holmes township, Crawford county, and here she has spent her active and useful life. She was born in Holmes township and is a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Boyer) Aumiller.

Daniel Aumiller and wife were both born in Union county, Pa. He was just 19 years of age when he accompanied his brother, George Aumiller, to Crawford county, in

October, 1828. At that time the busy city of Bucyrus was nothing but a hamlet on the frontier and it was no unusual sight to see bands of Indians in the neighborhood. George Aumiller was a brick maker and in this industry he was assisted by his brother, Daniel Aumiller, the latter of whom worked for three years and frugally saved almost every dollar in order to be able to invest in land. When he had sufficient capital to enter an 80 acre tract, he walked the entire distance to the land office at Tiffin, C, in order to secure the property in Holmes township that he had in mind. It was a discouraging looking place at that time, little resembling the improved farm that Miss Julia Aumiller and a sister, Mrs. Nichols, now own, but Daniel Aumiller not only cleared that place and put it under cultivation, but later acquired 160 acres more, together with tracts of Western land. His death occurred on the first 80 acres he had bought, when he was in his 72nd year. In addition to farming he also, for some years, followed the brick mason trade and was known all over Crawford county. His widow survived him for 16 years, her death occurring in 1900, in her 82nd year. In early life she belonged to the Albright church but later united with the English Lutheran body. All of their eleven children grew to maturity on the farm and three sons and four daughters are yet living.

Miss Julia Aumiller was educated in the local schools. She is a very capable business woman and for a number of years conducted a dressmaking business. In addition to her interest in the old homestead, she owns two excellent houses at Bucyrus. She is one of the active and interested members of the English Lutheran church at Bucyrus, has many pleasant social connections and a very wide circle of friends.

OTTERBEIN P. BECK, who, as head sales agent for the Galion Iron Works Company, at Galion, C, occupies a very important position, and is also a member of the directing board of the company, has been identified with this concern since its organization and a large measure of its success may justly be attributed to his energy and business capacity. He was born in Jefferson township, Crawford county, O., and is a son of John Beck and a grandson of one of the pioneers of Jefferson township, Crawford county.

John Bef;k was born in 1807 in Westmoreland county, Pa., and in 1827 accompanied his parents to Jefferson township, and his father built the first grist mill in the county, constructing it on the Sandusky River. John Beck engaged in farming but possessed natural mechanical skill and was a satisfactory carpenter and a capable millwright, manufactured pumps for some years and occupied his spare moments in constructing such delicate musical instruments as the dulcimer. He was well known all over the county and in his way he was a genius. Early in life he was a Democrat but the issues involved in the Civil War made him a Republican. For many years he was a justice of the peace in Jefferson township. He was twice married, first to Mary Swisher, who left six children, three of whom were soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. His second wife was Eliza Rhoads, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Seneca county, O., by an uncle. She died in 1880 when aged 44 years, leaving nine children, six of whom survive.

Otterbein P. Beck was reared and educated in Jefferson township and during almost all of his active business life has been connected with manufacturing concerns and more or. less of the time with his present particular department. For nine years he was connected with the Central Ohio Buggy Company and for six years afterward was sales agent for the Ohio Buggy Company. He came to Gallon in 1880 and, as mentioned above, has been interested with the Gallon Iron Works since the pJant was established here. He has jobbers all through the country who handle the products of this company and in addition the company has fifty active men on the road, while the office business is so voluminous that nine, stenographers are required. Mr. Beck is thoroughly alive to business possibilities and has the natural foresight and good judgment that enable him to recognize advantages when presented.

Mr. Beck was married in Crawford county to Miss Mary H. Shumaker, who is a daughter of John and Esther (Gledhill), Shumaker. The father of Mrs. Beck died in May, 1869, from the kick of an unruly horse and the mother died in December, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Beck have two children : Loren Eugene, who was educated at Galion and in the Ohio Business College, Mansfield, O., and is a commercial traveler; and Lois May, who is a member of the class of 1914 in the Galion High School. This young lady has great musical talent and is a member of the choir of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Beck was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Beck is a Knight of Pythias and is a charter member of the United Commercial travelers and a charter member of the Commercial Club at Galion.

WILLIAM MASON, who is one of the leading business men of New Winchester, O., owner and proprietor of a general store and also owner of one of the finest residences in the town, was born in Dallas township, Crawford county, O., May 16, i860, and is a son of John and Mary (Line) Mason.

John Mason was born in England and came to the United States when a boy. He worked at first on farms in different sections and later acquired land of his own and at the time of death owned 280 acres of fine land in Crawford county. He married Mary Line, who was born in Ohio, and they had the following children : Nancy, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Saylor ; Fannie, who is the wife of Z. W. Hipsher; James, who is deceased ; Ellen, who is the wife of Otis Brooks; Rose Ann, who is the wife of John Hord ; William ; and Lottie, who is deceased. John Mason and wife are both deceased and their burial was in Marion county, O. They were well known and highly respected people.

came a farmer on his own account and continued until 1898, when he purchased a business at New Winchester, which he conducted for 18 months and then sold, after which he bought his general store and has conducted the same for the past twelve years. He carries a full and well selected stock and enjoys a liberal amount of patronage.

In 1881 Mr. Mason was married to Miss Maggie Cress, who is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lint) Cress, the former of whom is well known all over Crawford county as an expert blacksmith. Mrs. Mason is the second in a large family, as follows : Nora, who is the wife of G. W. Schreck; Iley Bell, who is the wife of Samuel Sharrock; Frances, of Chicago; Minnie, who is the widow of Fred Daoust; Delia, who is deceased; and Manford. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are members of the United Brethren church. Politically Mr. Mason is a Republican and has been a loyal party worker for many years. He has served at times in public oflice and for one term was assessor of Dallas township and at present is turnpike road commissioner for Whetstone township. For several years he was postmaster of New Winchester. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and belongs to Lodge No. 447, A. F. & A. M., at Caledonia, O.

WILLIAM C. KIESS, vice-president of the Second National Bank of Bucyrus, O., is also largely interested in real estate and conducts an extensive business along this line, dealing in both city realty and farm property. He has been a representative citizen of Crawford county for many years and has frequently been honored by election to ofifices of trust and responsibility by his fellow citizens. He was born on his father's farm in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., in iS^y, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Delker) Kiess.

Jacob Kiess was born in Lycoming county, Pa., a son of Christopher Kiess and wife, who were natives of Germany. Grandfather Kiess was an educated man and first taught school in his native land and afterward, for twenty years in Pennsylvania. He thus was useful in his day and generation although he never accumulated as much property as have a number of his descendants. In 1850, Jacob Kiess and wife settled on a farm in Crawford county, improved it and there he died in his seventieth year, in 1882. In early manhood he had married Catherine Delker, who was born in Germany, where she lived until fifteen years of ages She survived her husband, passing away in 1885, when aged 69 vears. They were members of the Evangelical Lutheran church and were worthy of their name and profession of faith. Of their children there are three sons and one daughter living, namely: WilHam C, Simeon, Joseph F., and Mrs. M. A. Butts, of Hiawatha, Kans. William C. Kiess was reared on the home farm and early took part in the necessary toil that successful cultivation of land demands. His education, however, was in no way neglected and he was ambitious as well as intelligent. After attending the public schools he enjoyed higher training in the university at Ada, C, where he was specially prepared in the Normal classes for educational work. For seven years afterward Mr. Kiess taught school, confining his efforts to Whetstone township, and he met with a large measure of success. He looks back upon that period as a useful season of his life, in which he did his best and felt rewarded for his eflforts. Among his warmest friends of the present are those who were once his pupils. From the school-room Mr. Kiess entered public office, serving as township clerk for four years and as land appraiser in his township. On February 9, 1900, he entered upon the duties of probate judge of Crawford county, to which honorable office he had been elected in the previous autumn, and his services on the bench demonstrated his particular fitness for that position. Judge Kiess subsequently turned his attention to dealing in real estate and has numerous additional interests. He is a notary public and maintains his office in the Rowse Building.

Mary Wagner, old residents of Whetstone township, who have long since passed to their final rest. Two children living were born to Judge and Mrs. Kiess, a son and daughter, Thomas Clinton and Bessie Belle. Judge Kiess and family are members of the Evangelical church. Their pleasant and hospitable home is at No. 475 Gallon Street, Bucyrus.

GEORGE LEROY SHEMER, a successful farmer of Dallas township, who is also one of that township's prominent citizens, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, March 8, 1872, a son of Levi and Martha (McKinney) Shemer. The parents of our subject were early settlers in Crawford county, the father, Levi Shemer, coming here from Stark county, Ohio, when a child of eight years; his wife, Mrs. Martha Shemer, is from Richland county. They are still living and reside in Dallas township, Levi being a farmer by occupation. Their children are : George LeRoy, whose name appears at tlae head of this sketch; Mary Matilda, who is the wife of Daniel Parcher; Charles Otis; Velma Maude, who is the wife of Leo White ; and Earl.

George LeRoy Shemer in his boyhood attended the common schools and was early trained to agricultural pursuits. He has resided in Dallas township for 29 years, and is engaged in general farming, keeping stock enough for his own use. A Republican in politics, like his father, he is now serving in his third term as clerk of the township.

He was married Oct. 16, 1895 to Mary E. Parcher, a daughter of John and Adelia (Wilson) Parcher, farming people and prominent residents of Dallas township. John Parcher, Mrs. Shemer's father, was born in Bucyrus township, this county, m 1846. His father, Daniel Parcher, was also a native of this county, while his mother, Mrs. Mary (McNeal) Parcher, came from Pennsylvania. John Parcher was county commissioner for six years and has also served as township trustee. He is a man highly respected in the community. Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Shemer attend the Methodist Episcopal church. They are industrious thrifty people, good neighbors, and well liked in the community and have a wide circle of friends.

DANIEL M. TOBIAS, a well known resident of Bucyrus, is a member of the firm of D. M. Tobias & Co., doing business at Columbus, O., dealers and manufacturers of fine blank books and legal stationery. Mr. Tobias was born at Greencastle, Pa., May 8, 1859.

Daniel M. Tobias was four years old when his parents came to Crawford county and settled on a farm in Liberty township from which they later moved to another in Holmes township, and there he grew to manhood. His education was secured in the district and Bucyrus schools and at Oberlin College. After learning the cabinetmaker's trade he followed that for some time and then acted as deputy for his brother, Hon. James C. Tobias, who was judge of the Probate Court. For ten years after the termination of his term as deputy, he was superintendent of the Bucyrus Stock Farm, in which position he exhibited excellent judgment and successfully handled and drove the high bred horses for which the farm was noted all over the state. In November, 1903, after some time devoted to pattern work in a cabinetmaking shop, he entered the employ of the Dayton Blank Book and Lithographing Company, and after the second year became stockholder and director in the company and for nine years was a salesman for that concern, at the end of that period establishing his own business at Columbus, where he has continued to prosper until the present. He has always been an active Democrat and has frequently been a delegate to important conventions, has served in numerous local offices and is the present candidate of his party for county auditor.

Mr. Tobias was married (first) at Bucyrus and by that marriage had two children : Ray J., who resides in the West; and Jessie M., Mrs. Smith, whose home is in California. Mr. Tobias was married (second) at B'ucyrus, to Miss Sallie Stewart, who was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., but in childhood was brought to Bucyrus by her parents, Joseph and Mary (Snyder) Stewart, the former of whom was born in Columbiana county, O., March 9, 1839, and died Feb. 3, 1905. For more than thirty years he was a railroad engineer, in 1881 becoming identified with the T. & O. C. Railroad and continuing with that line until within a few years of his decease. He was the instructor of Eugene Debs, the labor leader, when the latter became a fireman on his engine, and was well known to railroad men all over the country. His widow survives and resides at Bucyrus. She is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias have four children: Ruth M., who was born May 24, 1894, and stands at the head of the class of 1913, in the Bucyrus High School; Russell Stewart, who was born May 21, 1897; Daniel Milton, who was born August 9, 1899; and Catherine, who was born August 25, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias attend the Lutheran church. He is secretary of the Order of United Commercial Travellers of America and has represented this body as a delegate to its national convention for several years. Since 188.S he has been identified with the Knights of Pythias at Bucyrus, with which he has, at times, been officially connected. Although Mr. Tobias carries on his business at the capital, he has continued to maintain his home at Bucyrus and his handsome residence is situated at No. 411 East Mansfield Street.

J. P. WHALEN, proprietor of the Whalen Laundry, a very successful business enterprise of Gallon, C, doing business at No. 241 East Main street, was born in this city in 1867, a son of Richard and Mary (Riester) Whalen.

Richard Whalen was born in New York and was a young man when he came westward and during the larger part of his after life was connected in some capacity with railroads, both at Gallon, O., and Indianapolis, Ind., being last identified with the Erie Railroad. His death occurred in April, 1907, when he was 68 years of age. He was married at Gallon to Mary Riester, who was

J. P. Whalen was reared at Gallon and Indianapolis and attended school regularly in boyhood. He has been identified with the laundry business practically all his life since then, or since 1882, and in 1888 started his present laundry. At first it was a somewhat small concern, a hand laundry, but Mr. Whalen had no idea of remaining satisfied with what were then, necessary conditions, and gradually made improvements as his patronage increased and by 1900 had built up such a substantial incomebringing business that he felt justified in securing his present commodious quarters and installing modern laundry machinery. He gives continuous employment to ten individuals and guarantees the finest work in the city.

Mr. Whalen was married at Gallon, O., to Miss Nellie Mitchell, who was born and reared at Urbana, O., and they have two children : Eileen, an attractive little girl of thirteen years who- attends the parochial school; and Joel, who has not yet reached his third birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Whalen are members of the Roman Catholic church, and he belongs to that world-wide organization, the Knights of Columbus. He is an energetic and enterprising business man and reputable citizen.

LEO WHITE, who is one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Dallas township, Crawford county, O., and one of the representative and reliable citizens, now serving in his third term as township trustee, was born in Dallas township, July 17, 1870, and is a son of Willard T. and Clementine (Swigart) White.

Willard T. White was born also in Dallas township and has been a farmer all his life and is one of the large landowners of Crawford county, at present having 800 acres. He has been twice married, first to Clementine Swigart, who died when her two children, Leo and Ida Irene, were small; Ida Irene is the wife of E. H. K. McComb, who is assistant superintendent of the Manual

Training School at Indianapolis, Ind. After the death of his first wife, Mr. White married Ella Brown, who, like the first Mrs. White, was a native of Wyandot county, and two sons were born to them : Garrett B. and Abraham Jay.

Leo White attended the local schools and afterward enjoyed two terms at Ada, O., since when he has devoted himself to general farming and stock raising. He operates a large body of jand including 240 acres of his father's fai'm and an additional 160 acres, which he rents. He is progressive and up-to-date in his methods and his industries are prospering.

In October, 1898, Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Velma Maude Shemer, who was born in Crawford county. Her parents, Levi and Martha (McKinney) Shemer, are residents of Dallas township. They have the following children : G. L. ; Matilda, wife of D. L. Parcher; Otis; Mrs. White, and Earl. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White: Helen Lorena and Hazel Martha, The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically an ardent Republican, Mr. White has been frequently tendered public office by his party and has served as township trustee with efficiency as well as township treasurer for three terms. He is a member of the Elks at Bucyrus, O.

JOHN T. LUSCOMBE, master mechanic for the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, at Bucyrus, O., was born in County Cork, Ireland, thirty-seven years ago and accompanied his parents, John and Elizabeth (Pitchford) Luscombe, to America, in May, 1884, the family landed in the Dominion of Canada.

John Luscombe and wife reside, in comfortable retirement, at Belleville, Ontario, he having served thirty years with the Grand Trunk Railroad, for fifteen years of this period being in charge of the car department. He is a pensioner of the British Government, having served for 21 years in the British army and held the rank of color sergeant during a part of the time. He served three terms of enlistment, each of seven years. He and wife are members of the Baptist church. Ten children were born to them, as follows : John T. ; Langford G., who died at the age of 23 years ; Henry J., who died at the a^e of 25 years, and is survived by his widow; Alfred P., who is a prosperous farmer and wheat grower in Alberta, where he married and has three children; Reuben C, who is an engineer on the B. & O. Railroad at Newark, O., and has two sons; Maude M., who resides with her parents ; Walter R., who is in charge of a department in a large clothing house in Canada, and who married there and has twin daughters; Edith Clara, who lives at home; E. Agnes, who also resides with her parents; and William Oliver, who is in the employ of a manufacturing company at Belleville.

John T. Luscombe was graduated from the Belleville High School and when only fifteen years of age entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railroad and continued, in various capacities until 1901, when he became identified with the B. & O. In the meanwhile he had not neglected his education, in 1900 graduating from the National Correspondence School, at Scranton, Pa. He has filled important positions with different companies and when with the Chicago & Alton Railroad, was machine foreman and with the B. & O., was general foreman. Prior to March, 1908, when he became master mechanic for the Toledo & Ohio Central, he was general foreman of the shops at Bucyrus. Mr. Luscombe fills a very responsible position and enjoys the entire confidence of the company.

Mr. Luscombe was rnarried at St. Thomas, Can., to Miss Alberta Bradley, who was born at Chicago, 111., a daughter of George and Emma (Oxley) Bradley, natives of England, who now reside in Alberta, Canada. Mrs. Luscombe is the eldest of four children, the others being: George J.; Mrs. H. L. Emmet, of Chicago; and Alice, wif* of George Martin, also of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Luscombe have two sons, Harold Btadley, who was born in November, 1904, and Edgar Allen, born September, 1908. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Luscombe belongs to the minor orders of Masonry at Bucyrus and to the Commandery at Marion, O., and is identified also with the Elks.

Note. - Since this sketch was made Mr. Luscombe has resigned his position with the T. & O. C. to accept a more responsible position with the Big Four R. R. and is now located at Bellefontaine, Logan county, O.

EDWARD KAVANAGH, who has a long and honorable record as an employe of the Erie Railroad Company, having become identified with the same in June, 1872, when it was known as the A. & G. W. Railroad and the Broad Guage. He was born at London, Canada, Feb. i, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Bridget (Shae) Kavanagh.

Thomas Kavatiagh and wife were born in Ireland, the former being a son of Martin and Juda (Delaney) Kavanagh, natives of County Kilkenny. When Thomas Kavanagh was young he went to live with an aunt, who apprenticed him to a shoemaker to learn his trade. Four years afterward he went to London and worked in different English cities before coming to the United States in 1846. For some time he worked at his trade on King Street, New York City, after which he went to Philadelphia and from there to other places and finally crossed the line into Canada and located at London. There he met Bridget Shae, a daughter of William and Johanna (Kennedy) Shae, who spent their lives in Ireland, the daughter having come to Canada in 1852. She lived at London, Canada, some four years before her marriage to Mr. Kavanagh. In 1863 Mr. and Mrs. Kavanagh moved to Cleveland, O., and afterwards moved to Kent, where Mr. Kavanagh died in May, 1904, his birth having taken place March 5, 1819. Mrs. Kavanagh survives and resides at Kent. She was born March 24, 1830. She is a member of the Roman Catholic church as was her husband. They had sixteen children born to

Edward Kavanagh began at the bottom when he entered the service of the Erie Railroad, working at first in the mechanical department, from which he was promoted to be a hostler. In January, 1883, he was given a position as fireman and continued as such until December, 1886, when he was made an engineer and has filled this position ever since, for the past ten years being in the passenger service. Mr. Kavanagh has handled every known make of engine, from the little primitive one that was fed with wood, to the great giants of the road that only men of real engineering knowledge can control, be the motive power steam or electricity. He is justly proud of the fact that he has never received a reprimand for dereliction of duty since he came to the road. He has witnessed many changes in ownership and in operating and has kept a record of these which makes interesting reading concerning this very important line.

Mr. Kavanagh was married to Miss Agnes King and they had the following children: Arthur Lewis, a railroad conductor on the Erie, who lives at Huntington, Ind., and has a family of one son and two daughters ; George, who was accidentally killed at the age of fifteen years, by a switch engine, while working for the Erie as a call boy; John E., who is in the pattern department of a steel bridge manufacturing plant at Chicago; and Catherine v., who is the wife of T. T. Glennor, residing in Pennsylvania, and has one son. Mr. Kavanagh was married (second) tQ Mrs. Lydia A. Firstenberger, widow of Jacob Firstenberger, who died in 1900. She was born and reared at Marion, O., her family name being Dutt. Mr. Kavanagh is a member of Division No. 16, B. L. E., and for twelve years was its chief and in 1898 was sent as a delegate to the Convention of Engineers held at St. Louis, Mo. He has been chairman of the General Committee of Adjustment from Division 16 for the past ten years.

Maj. Edmund R. Kearsley

tensive travelers, having- visited almost every state in the union and also Mexico and Canada. He relates many stories of interest of his travels as well as incidents relative to his work as an engineer but they would occupy too much space to be given here.

MAJOR EDMUND ROBERTS KEARSLEY, deceased, whose birth took place at Harrisburg, Pa., May i8, 1816, died at his palatial Residence, No. 309 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, O., in January, 1901. His long and busy life had covered an important epoch in his country's history and his personal experiences, in public and military life, form an interesting and instructive record. Descended from military ancestors, all his life, even in old age, he continued to be interested in military affairs, favoring and substantially encouraging a military organization at Bucyrus, bearing his name, when past his four score years and ten, in their spirit and enthusiasm living over again many of the events of his own earlier life.

Edmund Roberts Kearsley was the first child bom to Major Jonathan Kearsley and Margaret (Hetich) Kearsley, and a grandson of Captain Samuel Kearsley, with whom he lived for some years after the death of his mother, in 182 1. His father. Major Jonathan Kearsley, graduated at Washington College, Pa., now ,called Washington and Jefiferson College, in 181 1, and in the following year was appointed by President Madison, a lieutenant in the U. S. Artillery, and in 1814 was commissioned assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of major. He was engaged in the battles of Niagara, Stony Creek and Chrysler's Field, and in the sortie from Fort Erie, in which latter engagement he was so seriously wounded that it resulted in the loss of a leg. In 181 7 he was appointed collector of revenue in Pennsylvania, and in 1820, receiver of public moneys for the District of Michigan, at which time he removed to Detroit, where he resided until his death. There his son, the late Edmund Roberts Kearsley joined him in 182 c; and immediately became a pupil in the public schools. His father then sent him to a private school at Utica, N. Y., and from 1829 until 1832 he was a student at Kenyon College, O. Upon his return to Detroit he became assistant receiver in the Michigan Land Office, under his father, in which capacity he attracted the attention of Major John Biddie, register of the Land Office, who requested the transfer of so efficient a helper to his department. As chief clerk of this important office, Major Kearsley continued until 1840, when failing health caused his resignation. From then until 1847 he resided on his father's farm of 600 acres located in Oakland county, Mich. About this time he returned to Detroit and entered into business. He superintended the erection of the Biddle House at Detroit, which was one of the largest and most complete hotels in the state of Michigan for many years.

His first connection with military matters was when he assisted in the organization of the Brady Guards, a well drilled body of young men that did excellent service during the troubles along the Canadian and Michigan border during the rebellion of 1837-8 in the Dominion. During this time Captain Kearsley was appointed assistant adjutant with the rank of major, a title he retained until the close of life. Later he was appointed assistant quartermaster-general of Michigan and while in that position served, with Captain U. S. Grant, who later became commander of the army and subsequently President of the United States. A warm personal friendship existed between- them until the death of General Grant. Major Kearsley's active participation in military affairs was not so much on the field as in the no less necessary official departments which regulate and make possible effective action on the battle ground, and his sincerity, honesty and general efficiency, which were ever placed at the service of his country in time of need. Perhaps no man in Crawford county, O., to which state he removed in 1 85 1, could have so advantageously and peacefully managed the difficult matter of carrying out the law, in 1862, as did he as draft officer. Where another equally patriotic official might have brought about local trouble as the minds of men were inflamed by partisan feeling at that time, Major Kearsley's tact, diplomacy, understanding of human nature, together with his personal high character inspiring confidence, brought about satisfactory

As noted above, Major Kearsley came to Bucyrus early in 1851 and this city remained his home during the rest of his life. At that time his maternal uncle, Hon. Charles Hetich, was county treasurer of Crawford county, and Major Kearsley became his assistant and in the following year was made deputy auditor and in 1853 was elected auditor. So popular an official had he become that in 1855 he was nominated for a third term by both parties and elected, this being a notable occurrence in Crawford county that has never since been repeated. It was during his term of official life that he superintended the erection of numerous buildings of a public nature, including the first brick jail ever built in the county. He continued his interest in county affairs after retiring from office, cheerfully giving advice when consulted, his many years of experience making this particularly valuable. Bucyrus is indebted to him in many ways for he was ever awake to the city's needs and was ready to lend his influence and give substantial support to all measures which he deemed worthy of th-^ sRine. Through his energy and financial assistance the Bucyrus Memorial Library became a fact and it was a pleasure to him to continue his benefactions to this institution. From the time he reached manhood until the closing years of his life, his gifts to people in all walks were numerous and continuous, but in large part his benefactions were given quietly and with no thought or desire that public approval should mark them. In early life a Whig, he later became a Democrat although he gave political support in the election of President Lincoln.

Major Kearsley was married in Illinois, to Miss Susan Phillips, who was born April 5, 1827, at Salem, O., and was 18 months old when her people came to Bucyrus, where she has spent all her life with the exception of three years, during which period she lived with an aunt in Illinois. Her father, James Lewis Phillips, was born in Ohio, Jan. 14, 1798, and died Sept. 20, 1827. His father, Robert P. Phillips, was born in Wales, July 21, 1773, and came to America when a young man and became a teamster and carrier, first in Pennsylvania and later at Salem, O., where he also conducted a tannery. He married Susanna Snyder, who was of Dutch descent. James Lewis Phillips was married in Ohio, Dec. 16, 1824, by Rev. Kenneth Vallandingham, who, it may be noted, later baptized their daughter, Mrs. Kearsley, to Maria McCracken, who was born April 25, 1796. Her parents were James and Susan (Kelley) McCracken, the latter of whom was a distant relative of General Grant's maternal ancestors. The McCrackens came from Scotland and the family was well known in Wayne county, O., and at Columbus. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Maria Phillips left Salem and with her two daughters, Samantha and Susan, came to Bucyrus, where her kindred lived and here her death occurred October 14, 1834. Mrs. Kearsley's only sister died unmarried, Jan. 5, 1872.

Major Kearsley was married (first) July 2, 1857, to Martha C. Sweney, who was born at Gettysburg, Pa., in 1824, and died at Bucyrus, in 1874. Two children were bom to that union: an infant daughter, who died on the day of birth; and Rebecca M., who was born Nov. 28, 1866, and who married Elmer L. White, of Pittsburgh, Pa. They had one daughter, Margaret Sara, who resides with her grandmother, at Bucyrus. The family has been identified with the Presbyterian church for many years and in this relation Major Kearsley was faithful and conscientious. He belonged to the Sons of the American Revolution and was justly proud of this connection, and he was also affiliated with the old fraternities, the Masons and Odd Fellows.

DR. JAMES F. FITZSIMMONS, who at the time of his death on April 12th, 1910, was the oldest practicing physician in Bucyrus, was also a citizen widely known and much esteemed. He was born on a farm in Whetstone township, this county, Sept. 18, 1843, 3-i^d was therefore in his 67th year at the time of his demise. His parents were William and Anna E. (Holman) Fitzsimmons, who came overland to Bucyrus from Huntingdon county. Pa., in 1831, settling in Whetstone township.

per Sandusky, where he attended school for several terms. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the 134th O. V. I., and was discharged with his comrades in August of that year. In the fall of 1864 he attended the Vermillion Institute at Hayesville, O., remaining until the summer of 1865, when he entered the office of Drs. Ferris and Byron at Upper Sandusky. In the winter of 1865-66 he attended his first course of lectures at Charity Hospital Medical College at Cleveland, going thence to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he studied and practiced with Dr. J. S. Gregg of that place until 1867. He then entered Chicago Medical College from which he was graduated in March, 1868.

Resuming practice in Ft. Wayne, he remained there until 1871 and then engaged in special practice in Cincinnati for a short time. In June, 1871, he located in Bucyrus, which place was his home and the scene of his professional activities until his death. Just previous to that final event he had been appointed a member of the county board of pension examiners. He was a member of Keller Post, G. A. R., had served as presiding officer of the Board of Health in past years ; held membership and office in the Crawford County Medical Society and in the Royal Arcanum. He also held membership in Summit City Lodge No. 170 A. F. & A. M. of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and in Bucyrus Chapter, No. 160, R. A. M., and was Past Worthy Patron of Bucyrus Chapter No. 3, Order of the Eastern Star.

Dr. Fitzsimmons was married Jan. i, 1872, to Miss Ella Ryan, an adopted daughter of G. L. Saulsbury, a prominent business man of Bucyrus, well known throughout the county. Mr. Saulsbury was a native of the State of New York and married there Nancy R. Dedrick. He and his wife spent their lives subsequently in Michigan and Ohio, both dying in Toledo, this State, as also their children. Mrs. Fitzsimmons was born in Ireland and in 1861 came to Bucyrus, where she was educated and has since resided. Her father, Michael Ryan, married there Mary Cantwell, who was born in Clonmell, the walled town in Tipperary county and the scene of many early battles.

She was of French extraction. Michael and Mary Ryan had ten children, all but four of whom died in Ireland. The survivors accompanied their parents to America, the family settling first in Hartford, Conn., and there the wife and mother died in middle age. Mr. Ryan married a second time and came to Ohio, locating in Marion county, where he and his second wife died, he at the age of about 70 years. They were members of the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Fitzsimmons was the youngest of ten children and is the only one now living. Her children are three in number, namely: Ralph J., a well educated young man, died in 1909 unmarried. Nellie E. graduated from the School of Oratory at Northwestern University, Evanston, 111., later was for eight years societor of the Bucyrus Forum and a city reporter for three years on the now resides in Spokane, Wash. Myra Lesevening Telegram. She is unmarried and lie is the wife of Walter M. Hubbell, assistant secretary of the American Clay Machinery Co., of Bucyrus, O., and has a daughter, Myra Leslie (2d). The family are all members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Fitzsimmons' death was very sudden and was due to heart disease, which had not previously troubled him to any great extent. He was sweeping the veranda of his home when he suddenly fell back and in a few moments life was extinct. We cannot sum up his character better than to quote an extract from his obituary notice in a local journal. The writer says : "Dr. Fitzsimmons was a gentleman of the old school, a man or irreproachable character and strong moral uprightness. In character and personality he fulfilled in every particular the requirements of the noblest of professions and his heart was ever in his work. A man of courtly bearing and manner, he was one who justly earned the respect, confidence and veneration of old and young alike. No citizen of Bucyrus was more generally esteemed and more genuinely respected than Dr. Fitzsimmons. He was a man of modest tastes, with a distinct leaning for home life and for a period of years he has lived busily yet quietly here among the friends of his young manhood and of his later years. He has come to the end of the journey. The call, sudden though it was, found him fully prepared, as he had always been at all times, with a clean heart and mind, to meet his maker wherever the summons should call him. He leaves behind the record of a clean life worthily lived, than which a better monument to his memory could never be reared."

JOHN C. CRANER, township assessor of Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., and a well known citizen, has been engaged in farming in this section for a number of years, renting land and since 1906 has owned 29 acres which are highly productive. He was born in Crawford county, Nov. 27, 1868, and is a son of Christian and Magdalena (Shaffer) Craner.

Christian Craner was born in Crawford county and still survives, residing in Polk township, but his wife 'passed away some years ago and her burial was in Marion county. They had the following children: Malinda, deceased, who was the wife of Jacob Sargel; Samuel W. ; Francis; Cassie, who is the wife of William McCracken ; Elmer J. and John C. Christian Craner has always been a farmer and is well known in the county. He is a member of the German Methodist church as was his wife.

After his school days, John C. Craner assisted his father and then engaged at farm work by the month and continued for about nine years, having, considerable experience with all kinds of farm methods. He then rented the farm on which he yet lives and still operates but since 1906 has owned 29 acres.

Mr. Craner was married Dec. 29, 1892, to Miss Margaret Stuckman, a member of one of the well known families of this township, and they have five children: Archie B., Reba, Rollin, Velma and Donald. Mr. Craner and family attend the United Brethren church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Bucyrus and is one of the active members of the Democratic party in Bucyrus township.

WILLIAM J. SCHWENCK, prosecuting attorney of Crawford county, O., and a prominent Democratic politician, has been a member of the Bucyrus bar ever since he entered into legal practice in 1900. He was born in this county, Oct. 18, 1874, and is a son of Hieronymus and Anna M. (Zimmer) Schwenck, both parents being now deceased. The father was a farmer and there were eight children in the family circle.

William J. Schwenck began his education in* the public schools and later attended the Ohio Normal University, from which he was graduated in 1898. Subsequent to this he entered the law department of the Ohio State University and was graduated from that institution in June, 1900. During his vacation he read law in the office of Phil M. Crow at Kenton, O., and shortly after his admission to the bar, in April, 1902, he was elected city solicitor of Bucyrus, serving until 1906. On Nov. 8, 1910, Mr. Schwenck was elected prosecuting attorney for the county and, as above stated, has served in this office ever since, his official record showing that he possesses in high degree those qualities which are essential to the proper performance of its very important duties.

Mr. Schwenck married Miss Ruth France, a daughter of William France, who was born in Pennsylvania. They are members of the Lutheran church, and he is a prominent member of the Bucyrus lodge of Eagles.

M. A. WINEMILLER, treasurer and general manager of the Gallon Handle & Manufacturing Company, of Gallon, O., an important business enterprise of this city, is a thoroughly experienced man in this line, having been connected with manufacturing industries since boyhood. He was born at Wapakoneta, Auglaize county, O., in 1861, and is a son of Michael and Matilda (Lucas) Winemiller.

Michael Winemiller was born in one of the Rhine provinces, Germany, and was six years of age when his parents brought him to the United States. The family located in Auglaize county, O., in the early thirties, where Michael Winemiller passed the rest of his Hfe, becoming a farmer and blacksmith, and dying at the age of 76 years. He was married in the same county to Matilda Lucas, who was born in Kentucky and from there came to Ohio in young womanhood and lived to be 75 years old. Her father, Israel Lucas, died while serving as a soldier in the Civil War. To Michael Winemiller and wife five sons and one daughter were born, all of whom survive and all are well settled in homes of their own.

M. A. Winemiller entered a handle factory after leaving school and worked at Winchester, Ind., and at Attica and Piqua, O., being foreman of the plant at Piqua and manager at Attica. He was a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Winchester D. Handle Company, manufacturing D and long handles. Mr. Winemiller was concerned in the establishing of the Galion Handle & Manufacturing Company, at Galion, in 1907, and has been treasurer and general manager ever since. This is an incorporated concern, capitalized at $15,- 000, its officers being: Anton Kahn, president; Allen Miller, J. S. Winemiller and M. A. .Winemiller, with a board of five directors. Employment is given to thirty people and the output of farm tool handles, about three car loads a month, are sold in England and Germany.

Mr. Winemiller was married at New Bremen, O., to Miss Julia C. Staas, who was born in Auglaize county, O., of German parentage. They attend the Friends' church. Fraternally, Mr. Winemiller is connected with the Odd Fellows at Winchester, Indiana.

JOHN J. KURTZ, one of the progressive and successful farmers and stock dealers of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., owning thoroughbred stock and registered sheep, belongs to one of the old and substantial families of this section. He was born in Whetstone township, Oct. 14, 1870, and is a son of John George and Catherine (Gaibler) Kurtz.

to the United States, John George Kurtz lived in Pennsylvania and then came on to Crawford county, O., being then 11 years of age. He followed farming all his active life and was a highly respected man. John George Kurtz was married (first) to Catherine Sherer and they had two children, Jacob and Samuel, the latter being deceased. He married (second) Catherine Gaibler who was brought to Crawford county by her parents and still survives, making her home with a daughter, Mrs. S. F. Sherer. They had the following children: Isaac; Benjamin; Mary, wife of Simon F. Sherer; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. C. H. Senn; Laura, who is the wife of C. A. Koppe; and John J. The parents of the above family were members of the German Methodist church.

John J. Kurtz attended the public schools. He has spent his entire life on the home farm, having an interest as an heir to the 200-acre tract, and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of Whetstone township. He is one of the leaders in the stock industry and makes a specialty of American Delaine sheep. In addition to farming the homestead he also manages 80 acres belonging to his wife.

On Dec. 25, 1901, Mr. Kurtz was married to Miss Matilda Sherer, the only daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Haller) Sherer, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Sherer was a prominent man in Whetstone township and served for many years in public office. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have one son, Harold, who was born June 7, 1903. They attend the German Methodist church. Nominally Mr. Kurtz is a Democrat but is somewhat independent in his political tendencies.

WILLIAM M. REID, deceased, was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., Nov. 23, 1834, and died at his home in Bucyrus, O., July 30, 1909. His parents were Rev. George and Mary A. (Foster) Reid.

States in 1824, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in one of the old sailing vessels that required three months to make a voyage that is now completed in a week. The Reids landed on the coast of Virginia, but moved by degrees farther north, driving their teams on up through New York until they reached Jamestown, where. they tarried for a time and then pushed into Ohio. Grandfather George Reid died in Wayne county. For some years the Reids lived at Sandusky and then came to Crawford county, where they secured four sections of Government land. They were not only pioneers but people of purpose and enterprise. Their land was speedily cleared and put under cultivation and while they flailed their first yield of wheat, they were the first to invest in a tread-mill thresher, which was then considered a wonder of agricultural machinery. The Reids brought the first grass mower into the county and were ever ready to test the utility of new inventions. The bricks with which they built their houses they burned and molded on their own farm ; they tanned the hides of their own cattle and made leather and also fashioned their own shoes, while the women of the family were no less busy and resourceful. From the flax raised on the farm, mothers and daughters wove linen of amazing softness of texture and the heavy winter clothing came also from their bus;^ looms, the wool from their own sheep. Pages might be written of the remarkable accomplishments of both the fathers and mothers of those early days and in considering them, their descendants must give testimony of honor and praise.

While the settlement of a representative family like the Reids was a benefit to the county, it was particularly helpful to Whetstone township and there it became a prominent factor in all affairs. Rev. George Reid was a missionary preacher and paid his own way when necessary, although in every community a pioneer welcome awaited him. He felt a special call to preach to the Indians and established a mission church in Wyandot county, the old structure being a landmark, standing in the midst of an old

Indian burying ground. With the help of his sons he developed a fine farm on which he lived until after the death of his first wife, who was the mother of his five children : Robert, who was born July 15, 1832, and died in i860; William M. ; Hugh, who was born August 10, 1837, and died in 1844; George, who was born August 30, 1841, and who now resides on his farm in Iowa; and Rachel, who was born April 3, 1843, and died in 1845. After his second marriage* Rev. George Reid located at Ada, O., and later, while on a visit, died at the home of his son, William M., at Bucyrus, when aged about 68 years.

William M. Reid was given somewhat better educational advantages than many country boys of the period enjoyed, his father having him attend the district schools regularly and later sending him to Columbus to take a course in a commercial college. In the early fifties, with his brother, Robert Reid, he came to Bucyrus, where they embarked in the dry goods business together. Later, William M. Reid, about 1856, went into the general store business under the firm name of Reid, Butterfield & Co. In 1865 he became senior member of the firm of Reid, Kaler & Malic, dealers in grain, seeds and produce, and in this line continued and became a prosperous merchant. From early manhood he was a Republican and at different times was elected to public office and once was mayor of Bucyrus. In all his enterprises and connections he was honest, reliable and dependable and no man was held in higher esteem by his fellow citizens. He never identified himself with many fraternal oi"- ganizations but became interested in the Knights of Honor and was a charter member of this order at Bucyrus and belonged also to the Royal Arcanum. He united early with the Presbyterian church, in which he long served as an elder, and for twenty-one years was superintendent of the Sunday-school.